When you look at a bright and shiny new fire truck the last thing you probably think of is galvanized steel. Many of them are painted bright red on the outside with flashing lights and accented in chrome.  However, HME fire trucks are built on a chassis of galvanized steel to ensure durability and performance.  The backbone of these response vehicles is a solid steel galvanized sub-structure that carries first responders with confidence to their next challenge.  HME prides itself on supplying the most reliable, corrosion resistant vehicle available for firefighters.

HME Inc., also known as HME Ahrens-Fox, is a manufacturer of fire trucks in Wyoming, Michigan.  The company was founded in 1913 and specializes in custom order fire trucks.  Today they keep the industry on its toes with new innovations.  HME introduced the first compressed natural gas fire truck to the world in 2010.  The natural gas model uses compressed natural gas and meets all EPA standards without the use of exotic filters or exhaust treatment devices.  HME offers a wide variety of models to fit the various needs and environments to which their fire trucks are subjected.

When ordering a custom fire truck from HME, customers are given many options from which to choose. HME promotes and utilizes the benefits of galvanized steel by offering galvanized frame rails, torque boxes, and outriggers to ensure maximum corrosion resistance through the rigors of first response.  Their HAF80L model offers an 80 foot ladder and galvanized outriggers that display an LED lit "X" on the ground where the outriggers will be positioned so the operator can make sure that area is stable and can put plates down in the correct spot.  The "X" display allows precise placement of the support plates enhancing safety and saving firemen very valuable time.

HME understands that proper design for galvanizing is critical to getting a finished product that represents the high quality expectations of their customers.  Working closely with the galvanizer ensures all components are designed for an optimum galvanized coating finish. Utilizing state of the art CAD design software, components incorporate proper designs that will easily flow through the hot dip galvanizing process.

HME is leading the way by utilizing hot dip galvanized coatings in their line of first response vehicles.  The pride attached to providing low cost, durable, reliable fire truck components for our first responders is the ultimate reward for the hot dip galvanizing industry.